What Should I Do When Roof is Leaking?

Nobody wants to have to deal with a leaky roof, but the after-effects can be just as much of a hassle. The first step is to halt any further damage by blocking the leak, but don’t neglect to repair the leftover water damage after your repairs.

My Roof Is Leaking When It Rains: What Should I Do?

The first step in dealing with a leak is to safeguard as many of your possessions as you can. Immediately move any furniture, rugs, electronics, and so on away from the area of the leak—out of the room, in general, would be best, if possible, because space will be needed later to conduct repairs.

Some Immediate Steps to Take

Grab a bucket to contain incoming water. If the leak is rapid, grab a second to switch in when the first needs emptied.

From there, the next concern is to dry out as much of the area as possible. Bring in old towels, a wet/dry vacuum, mops, or any other safe tool you have at your disposal to remove water. Fans can be a tremendous help here as they not only help circulate the air and dry out the area but can also help prevent mold from growing—all while keeping you cool as you work!

Take a roll of plastic, preferably 6-mil polyethylene, and wrap it around a two-by-four, stapling the plastic to it. After that, nail another two-by-four to the first, making a sandwich to hold the plastic.

Stretch the plastic across the general area of the leak.

Place the wood end along the eaves, and use a pair of two-by-fours to secure the other end of the plastic, leaving that end hanging over the ridge. The weight will help hold the plastic flat and keep it from blowing away easily.

Water Damage from a Roof Leak

Unfortunately, even small amounts of moisture can cause mold. While the overall severity of the damage can be gauged to some extent by how much water entered your building, a mold is a silent predator which can begin growing with little to no warning and seemingly little to no cause.

Mold on Ceiling from Roof Leak

After a leak, leftover moisture can create a fertile ground for mold to grow and spread. Once it’s established, mold will expand as long and as far as the environment can sustain it. While most mold is harmless, if unsightly, we’ve all heard the horror stories about the various forms of toxic mold.

Unfortunately, it can be very hard for homeowners to identify the variety of mold, which often necessitates the help of a mold remediation specialists. Of course, regardless of the type of mold, if it’s present in a highly trafficked and visible area, such as on a ceiling, it will likely need to be removed if for no other reason than the aesthetics of the home.

Fixing Water Stains on the Ceiling

Your best bet for removing a slight stain on the ceiling caused by water damage is, oddly enough, more water. You’ll want to mix an equal ratio of water and chlorine bleach together in a bucket, and then use a sponge to wash the stained area fully with the mixture. Afterward, you may want to add primer and a coat of paint to the area.

Water Damaged Ceiling Leak Repair Cost

It’s hard for an article on the internet to correctly diagnose a complex series of damaging events, but you might consider $400 to be a rough ballpark for the cost of repairing a ceiling damaged by water, including a ceiling patch, labor costs, and painting the patched surface. However, keep in mind that this is just the ceiling. Fixing the actual roof can range widely based on whether a simple repair is needed or whether this was one tipping point in a roof that badly needs repair.

Is a Roof Leak Covered by Insurance?

The general rule of thumb is that when the leak is caused by accidental forces or those over which you have no control (wind or snow storms are big ones), then it’s covered. If it’s caused by negligence, then it’s likely not covered. This is why it’s essential to keep up on home maintenance and fix minor issues as they pop up.

What About the Water Damage?

While insurance will cover the damage caused by the water, they typically will not cover the source of the damage. For example, if a washing machine breaks down and causes damage, they will repair the damage to the house, but they will not replace the washing machine.

While water damage and a leaking roof may sound absolutely terrifying to most homeowners, with the proper mindset and by following step-by-step damage control and repair procedures, you and your home can come through the challenge without too much trouble.

Blog Source: TRS Trademark | My Roof Is Leaking When It Rains: What Should I Do?